The MCU's Sokovia Accords might be returning after Secret Invasion, but this will likely be as unsuccessful as the last time they were implemented. Phase 5's Secret Invasion made some huge changes to the world of the MCU, not only focusing on the threat of a rebellious faction of shape-shifting Skrulls, but also exploring the MCU's political arena in great detail. This included introducing Dermot Mulroney as United States President Ritson, who found himself caught in the crossfire of the Skrull rebellion and Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury. Ritson's declaration of war against any alien citizens of Earth in Secret Invasion's finale hints at a dark future for the MCU.

Secret Invasion revealed that the Skrull rebellion had been targeting President Ritson for quite some time. Don Cheadle's Rhodey, a.k.a. War Machine, had been replaced by a Skrull and ascended through political ranks to work as Ritson's aide, quietly influencing the President. During Secret Invasion, an assassination attempt on Ritson by the Skrulls masquerading as Russian soldiers - and Rhodey's reveal that the rebellion had set up a base of operations on Russian soil - almost convinced Ritson to incite World War III. Luckily, nuclear war was avoided, but Ritson's new knowledge of dangerous Skrulls living among humanity led to a dark declaration against all off-world species.

President Ritson Declaring Aliens Enemy Combatants Can't Last

President Ritson's experiences in Secret Invasion lead to him declaring war on all off-world species living on Earth, which is seen to be inciting a wave of vigilante violence against Skrulls, or humans who individuals think are Skrulls. While it's evident that the Skrull rebellion needed to be dismantled, there are roughly a million innocent Skrulls living among humanity that would now be targeted under Ritson's new ruling. His specification of all extraterrestrial species being deemed dangerous could also throw various other MCU characters into jeopardy, including the citizens of New Asgard, several high-profile Avengers, and even Captain Marvel herself.

These actions could lead to the reemergence of the Sokovia Accords, a document introduced in Captain America: Civil War based on the Superhuman Registration Act from Marvel Comics. The Sokovia Accords demanded every hero reveal their identities and operate under the United Nations, which was something not all the Avengers could get on board with. This also put heroes such as Daredevil and Spider-Man into a huge amount of danger, as it's paramount that some heroes retain their secret identities. However, just like the Sokovia Accords, it's likely that Ritson's new ruling won't last too long, particularly since Captain America: Brave New World is set to see a new President replace Ritson.

Will Captain America 4 Address Ritson's Anti-Alien Sentiment?

Leading on from Secret Invasion, Phase 5's Captain America: Brave New World is set to explore the MCU's politics even further, promoting Harrison Ford's General Thaddeus Ross (previously portrayed by the late William Hurt) as the new President. Ross was an advocate for the Sokovia Accords in Captain America: Civil War, but could have had a change of heart after witnessing the traumatic events of Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. This means that President Ritson's anti-alien declaration could be scrapped very quickly. On the other hand, this could be the perfect stepping-off-point for the widespread introduction of mutants into the MCU, relating more closely to Marvel Comics' Superhuman Registration Act.